The 'trick' that allowed Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users to upgrade to Windows 10 for free will be taken offline. The page where Windows 10 could still be downloaded for users that require 'assistive technology' will be removed soon.
By downloading Windows 10 from the 'assistive technology' page it's still possible to upgrade to the OS after the initial period of 1 year in which Microsoft offered Windows 10 for free to Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 users. The download allows users to perform an 'in place' upgrade to Windows 10 and doesn't work for clean installations.
Microsoft already reported in August that the page for deaf and visually impaired users, or users that can't use a mouse or keyboard, was abused by computer users that wanted to upgrade to Windows 10 for free but didn't need any assistive technology.
On the download page isn't checked whether users really need assistive technology and are therefore eligible for a free upgrade. The upgrade tool also doesn't check whether any assistive technology devices are connected to the computer which means that every Windows 7 and Windows 8.1 user can still perform the free upgrade.
Soon this will change, users with and without a disability won't be able to download it from the special page any longer and will have to contact Microsoft to get their free upgrade to Windows 10.
